GUEST COLUMN: What Technology Was Used in Your Favorite Movies?
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What Technology Was Used in Your Favorite Movies?
by Lewis Robinson
Movies are the perfect escape. We can suspend disbelief and enter into entire new worlds, whether they be filled with superheroes, space adventures, or heartwarming tales. But how do filmmakers make these imaginary places seem so real?
Here are five high-tech techniques that help bring movies to life:
1. Motion Capture
Motion capture is a high cardinality technology that records real people's movement and applies it to digital characters. This allows for more realistic movements, as the computer-generated character can mimic the nuances of a real person’s movement.
One of the most iconic examples of motion capture in movies is Gollum from Lord of the Rings. Actor Andy Serkis donned a special suit covered in sensors that recorded his every move. This data was then used to create the digital character Gollum. Motion capture is also used in video games, allowing developers to create realistic animations for game characters. The high cardinality of motion capture data makes it an essential tool for creating realistic character movements.
2. 3D Printing
Three-dimensional printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a process of creating a three-dimensional object from a digital file. The technology has been used extensively in the entertainment industry to create props and costumes that would be otherwise impossible to make. For example, the movie The Maze Runner used 3D printing to create the Glade, a large open space in the middle of a maze. The set was created using 3D-printed pieces that were then assembled on location. This allowed the crew to create a realistic and immersive environment for the actors to work in. It was important for the crew to know what is document management to organize, print, and construct sets. In addition, 3D printing can be used to create props that are too delicate or intricate to be made using traditional methods. This gives filmmakers much greater flexibility when designing sets and creating unique visual effects. As the technology continues to evolve, we will likely see even more innovative uses of 3D printing in movies and television shows.
3. Virtual Production
Virtual production is a cloud migration based technology that allows filmmakers to create entire worlds in a computer. This makes it possible to shoot a movie without having to build physical sets or travel to locations. The movie Avatar is one of the most well-known examples of virtual production. The entire world of Pandora was created on a computer, and the actors were filmed against green screens. Cloud-based virtual production can be a cost-effective way to make movies, as it eliminates the need for costly set construction and location scouting. In addition, it offers great flexibility, as filmmakers can easily change the setting or objects in the scene without rebuilding anything. As more and more films are being made with virtual production technology, it is quickly becoming the new standard in filmmaking.
4. Augmented Reality
Augmented reality is a technology that superimposes computer-generated images onto the real world. This allows for more realistic effects, as the computer-generated images can interact with the real world.
Iron Man is most famous of the most popular examples of augmented reality in movies. The suit was created using computer-generated images superimposed onto actor Robert Downey Jr.
5. High Frame Rate
A high frame rate is a technology that records and plays back video at a higher frame rate than traditional movies. This allows for smoother and more realistic movements, as there are more frames per second.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey was one of the first movies to be filmed at a high frame rate. The increased frame rate made the movements of the characters seem more lifelike.
These are just a few ways that high-tech movies make the magic happen. With the help of these technologies, filmmakers can create entire worlds that seem real. So next time you watch a movie, take a moment to appreciate the fantastic effects that bring it to life.
